Raja Petra In Kamunting Detention Camp

Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar yesterday confirmed that blogger and Malaysia-Today website operator,Raja Petra Kamaruddin, has been detained under the Internal Security Act(ISA) at the Kamunting Detention Camp, Taiping for 2 years.
Syed hamid said he signed the detention order on Raja Petra on Monday after he was satisfied with the reasons given for his detention.
"The detention is due to raja Petra's articles that ridiculed Islam which could arouse anger among Muslims.
"The police had recommended his detention and after going through the papers, we are satisfied that there are strong grounds for him to be further detained for 2 years(in Kamunting)."
Raja Petra was arrested under the ISA on 12 September 12 as he was deemed to be a threat to public order and national security . Besides him, two others arrested under yhe ISA were Seputeh member of parliment Teresa Kok and Sin Chew daily Reporter Tan Hoon Cheng, but the two were later released.
Syed Hamid, however, said that after the first 3 months, the authorities would review Raja Petra's attit while in detention.
The second review will be later be after six months, we will see whe he can be released or not.ther

Akta Hubungan Kaum Malaysia elak sejarah hitam berulang

Persoalan sama ada perlu atau tidak Akta Hubungan Kaum diwujudkan di negara kita adalah sangat subjektif dan memerlukan kajian lanjut yang komprehensif serta tidak mempunyai agenda politik tertentu. Ini adalah kerana penggubalan akta ini bukanlah satu ancaman atau ugutan perkauaman di negara kita tetapi hanya akan digunakan sekiranya terdapat pelanggaran dalam hubungan antara kaumyang boleh menjejaskan perpaduan rakyat.
Pada dasarnya akta berkenaan penting bagi memastikan negara sentiasa berada dalam keadaan aman tenteram dan rakyat pelbagai kaum dapat hidup dengan harmoni dan tolaransi.
Di samping itu, akata ini boleh bertindak sebagai mekanisme merapatkan perpaduan dan kesepakatan antara etnik di negara kita.
Kewujudan akta ini juga adalah salah satu bentuk usaha penguatkuasaan kerajaan bagi memastikan keselamatan dan kesejahteraan negara terkawal dan dipelihara sebaik mungkin.
Akta ini kelak diharapkan dapat menjadi landasan pembentukan sebuah masyarakat berbilang kaum yang bersatu hati dengan mengambilkira keadilan dan kesamarataan serta mengelak berlakunya konflik dan perselisehan kaum.
Memalui akta ini juga diharapkan hasrat kerajaan merealisasikan sebuah masyarakat Malaysia ang teguh persefahaman, penuh semangat perpaduan, bersaing secara sihat ke arah melahirkan suasana integrasi kaum yang bersatupadu dan realistik di negara kita dapat dicapai.
Dalam soal perpaduan kaum ini, ramai tokoh pemimpin dan pemikir negara menyambut pemimpin dan pemikir negara menyambut baik cadangan penggubalan akta berkenaan.

Race Relations Models in United Kingdom

The Race Relation Act 1976 was established by the British Parliment tp prevent discrimination on the grounds of race and was later amended by the Race Relations Amendment Act 2000 by including a statutory duty on public bodies to promote race equality, and to demonstrate that procedures to prevent race discrimination are effective.
Items that are covered include discrimination on the grounds of race, colour,nationality, ethnic and national origin in the fields of employment, the provision of goods and services, education and public functions. The amendments covered:

1. Discrinination by police and other public authorities;
2. Specified authorities: general statutory duty;
3. Certain appointment functions oputside the employment field;
4. Police: extension of liability of chief officers,etc;
5. Criminal investigations and proceedings; and
6. immigration and asylum appeals.

The Act also established the Commission for racial Equality with a view to review the legislation. In 2003, additional regulation made certain forms of discrimination due to religious beliefs illegal.

Police Acted to stop threat

Police used the Internal Security Act(ISA) based on the escalation of insensitive racial and seditious remarks made by individials that caused racial unrest and religious tensions in the country.
Depity Inspector- General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said police invoked the ISA because the actions of these individuals"if not curtailed would cause public disorder and be a threat to national security."
"An arrest under the ISA is only made when police strongly believe that certain acts by individuals pose a serious threat to public order and national security." "And these are grounds on which we based the decision and acted accordingly under Section 73(1) of the ISA," he said in a statement yesterday.
Ismail said that in the case of Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng, she was released soon after police verified that there were no grounds to detain fer further.
Tan, 33, was released on Saturday after being detained for 18 hours.
Ismail said in the case of malaysia Today editor raja Petra Kamarudin and Seputeh MP Teresa Kok, police have 60 days under the Act to investigate."But any time within that period, if we can establish that they do naot pose a threat to national security, the two can be released," he said, adding that if there was cause, police could submit the case to the Home Minister, datu Seri SYed hamid Albar.
"We will sumit to him with the recommendation that they be detained under the minister 's order of detentionunder 8(1) of the ISA (where the person can be deatained for up to two years," he added

Teresa accused of three offences

Seputeh MP Teresa Kok, who was detained under the Internal Security Act(ISA) on Friday, is being investigated for allegedly committing three offences deemed"racially sensitive," according to her parents who met her at the Bukit Aman federal police headquarters yesterday.
Teresa told her father Kim Tong,74, that she was under investigation for alleged involvement in the azan issue, road signages with Jawi writings and another matter regarding the Selangor Religious Department.
Kim Tong and his wife, Poh Seh Kwan,71, who brought along their four-year-old granddaughter Kok En Qi and accompanied by Teresa's personal assistant mandi Ooi, stepped into Bukit Aman at 1.45 pm. A group of supporters mainly from the DAP including party veteran Lim Kit Siang, Penang chief minister and party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng ang other MPs gathered at tghe entrance.
Two hours later, Teresa's parents who appeared in high spirits,her niece and persoal assitance emerged from the headquarters. Police have told her she will be held for at least another 28 days. Under the ISA, police are empowered to detain Teresa for up to 60 days.

Police approve Pakatan,s 'Malaysia Day' Gathering

Police have issued a permit to the Selangor government and Pakatan Rakyat to hold a gethering at the Kelana Jaya Stadium here today to commemorate Malaysia Day.
State Police Chief DCP Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar said yesterday the organisers had made the application for a permit to Petaling Jaya Police Chief ACP Arjunaidi Mohammad who approved it. He said police will maintain security at the gathering and have briefed the organisers on traffic and crowd management.
"We found their application to be in order and so we have allowed the gathering. Those intending to hold gathering must apply for permits," he said after launching a Balik Kampung crime-prevention campaign organised by Subang Jaya residents at the Summit USJ shopping complex.
Among those present were Subang Jaya assembltwoman Hannah Yeoh, Subang Jaya police chief ACP Zainal Rashid and Transparency International Malaysia president Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam.

Time for law on race relations

MCA Youth Chief datuk Liow Tiong Lai has suggested "Kinder" laws than the Internal Security Act should be enacted.
He proposed that a Race Relations Act be introduced and suggested the government review the ISA.
"A Race Relations ACT is more positive than using the ISA, which is mor punitive . The cat is also more approriate to promote unity in the country." Liow, who is Helth Minister, said.
The act, he said , would empower to the Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry to perform better.
" It will empower them to come up with better programmes to promote unity and engage amultiracial spcity. It can also avoid discrimination," Liow said after openning the Federation of Malaysian Clans and Guilds Youth association annual meeting at Federal Hotel yesterday.
Liow said he and several minister would look into the matter before bringing it up to the cabinet. Asked if an act to promote unity was really needed, Low said it would be relevant as long as there were those who the race card.
Ther are people still using racial extremism to fan the feeling of those on the ground."
Liow reminded leaders in the country "not to play up racial isues to garner votes to become populist figures."
"The days are gone for politicians who use racial politics. They will be abandoned by the rakyat."

Use ISA on Terrorists and Subversives: Zaid

The Internal Security Act(ISA) should be used specifically to stem the activities of terrorists, communist subversives and those attempting to topple yhe givernment by force, Minister in the Prime Minister 's Department datuk zaid Ibrahim said yesterday. He said the ISA should be used for the stated purpose and"we keep to that".
Malaysia has many laws which could be applied in issues such as racial tension and threats to national security, he told reporters at his residence. zaid was asked to comment on the detention of Malaysia Today blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin, Seputeh MP Teresa Kok and Sin Chew daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng under the ISA on Friday. Tan was released on saturday.
"We have many laws which the police could have used to detain the three people withoput having to use ISA. We have the Sedition Act and the Penal Code," he said
He also said many other approaches could be employed to minimise racial differences or issues, including through dialogus sessions and peaceful discussions.
Meanwhile, Zaid is expectes to contest the post of Kota Baru UMNO division head in a straighr fight with the acting head, datuk Nohd Fatmi Salleh.
Zaid was suspended as the division head for 18 months from Jan 1 abd the Umno Supreme Council decided that he cannot lead the division after serving out the suspension and had to wait until the next division election.

Blocked Websites to be reinstated

The cabinet's decision to order the Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission(MCMC) to reinstate access to blocked websites including Malaysia Today has received the thumps up from various groups.
However, bloggers maintained that the initial ban was "ridiculous" and should not have been imposed in the first place.
malaysia Today editors raja Petra Raja Kamarudin said he was not surprised at the "flip flop decisio" and considered the whole situation ridiculous.
He said he wpuld leave the old websites as it was and those wanting access to his websites could continue doing so at http://mt.m2day.org/2008/,which was set up after his initial www.malaysiatoday.net website was blocked.
Blogger Ahirudin Attan,also known as Rocky(http://rockybru.blogspot.com)said the lifting of the ban was great news but that MCMC should be asked to explain why it blocked access the firt place.
"it gose against the government's promise not to censorwebsites. The Government must renew its and ensure this does not happen again," said Ahirudin,who called fir the firewall on his blog to be removed by a media organisation.
Another blogger Onn Yeoh said reinstating access was a necessary move to "prevent a bad precedent from being set as justification for future crackdowns."
He said it was not necessary to ban websites, as there were enough laws to deal with libel and sedition.
Lawyer Sony Liew said one should be careful when making statements online as action could still be taken under the present laws- Sedition Act, the Defamation Act, The Penal Code and even the Communications and Multimedia Act,especially Section 233.
"The Acts are in place to safeguard individuals from farrasment, including online, and also ensure the country's stability,"said Liew ,who advises on information technology.
"Do we want more freedom of speech and less safeguard , or vice versa?
"the internet encourages freedom of speech, but where do we draw the line?
"The Government must find a way to deal with this."
MCMC Chief Operating Officer Sharil Tarmizi said the blocking of websites was a temporary measure to halt, and immediately redress, any wrong or sedious posting while it proceed with investigations.

Change on Sept.16 "Won't Happen"

Terengganu Pas commissioner Datuk Mustafa Ali said the Sept. 16 date set by Pakatan Rakyat leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for a change in the Federal Government would not occur because of technical and political reasons.
Mustafa said he was speaking as a political observer and was not representing the party.
He said the change could not be effected without a vote of no-confidence on the prime minister or without his resignation.
"Parliment adjourns during Ramadan, there is no one who can cast a vote of no-confidence. Not wvwn having the right numbers of parliment crossing over can have an effect.
"Sept.16 won't see a change in government as I don't see a vote of no-confidence happening now. It. can happen at another sitting."
"Tere is a theory that with the approriate number of signatures presented to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the government could be changed, but the prime minister was appointed by the king and as such, he cannot appoint a new prime minister while he is still. Once appointted, he cannot be fired" he said at a press conference.
Anwar has often stated that he needed about 30 Barisan Nasional MPs to jump ship to form a new government.
Mustafa said fro his experience, a defection by MPs to the opposition had never happened.
Usually, it was the opposition members who crossed over to the government side, hust as it occured in 1994. On why he decided to speak out, Mustafa said he was asked by many people about the change in goverment.

Dr Mahathir 's Return to UMNO

Kedah UMNO will not stand in the way of Tun Dr.Mahathir Mohamad if he wishes to rejoin Umno and will welcome the man who led the party for 22 yaers.
"We hope this move by Dr Mahathir will help strengthen Umno," its liason chief , datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid, told Bernama.
UMNO vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said yesterday the former prime minister, who had announced in May that he was quitting the aprty, had agreed to rejoin UMNO when they met on Saturday. Kubang Pasu UMNO chief Datuk Mohd Johari Baharom, who is deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department, also said he did not have any problem accepting Dr. mahathir back.
"However,it is up to the supreme council to accept or turn down Dr. mahathir's application"
In Ipoh, supreme council member datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Dr. mahathir should be accepted back into the fold as this would strengthen the party.As a former party president, we have to value hima and his credibility. All grassroot members should receive him back into the party as his advice and guidance are needed."
Negeri Sembelan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan also welcomed Dr. Mahathir's return, aying h even willing to offer his UMNO Rantau branch chief's post to the latter if he was interested . I am confident that his presence in the party would help to further strengthen and unite UMNO." Hasan said after chairing the state executive council meeting at Wisma Negeri.

Jui Meng declares he's going for MCA presidency

Former MCA vice-president Datuk Chua Jui Meng has decided to contes the post of president in the party elections next month.
He will face vice-president datuk Ong Tee Keat, who had announced his intention in July to vie for the top post, following incumbent Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting's decision not to seek re-election.
"Ive deliberated on this matter for a long time and have been getting feed-back from the grassroots. I strongly feel that the only post that I should go for is the president's post in order to bring about total change and transformatio to the party,"he said at a press conference.
Chua, who took on ka Ting three years ago and lost, said he would be campaigning on a transformation platform, as there was an urgent need to rebuild and restore the party as well as to return it to relevance.
"I contest not out to disrespect to Tee Keat,who is still a good friend and whom I hold in good regard but because the risk is too great for MCA if it did not transform itselve in the next three years."
The former health minister said he was offering himselve as a presidential candidate with experience, passion and who would also bring chjange required to transform MCA.
The Bakri division chief vowed that if elected president, he would swear in front of every member and the media that he will not be corrupt.
"The rest of the party leaders will have to follow suit. Corruption is the worst crime in the eyes of the Chinese and with this, the community will realise our seriousness in tackling graft. Once this is done, we can encourage othe parties to follow suit."
He also said he was not to teaming up with any leaders."My team is the MCA delegates and their votes will determine the party leadership. However, I will welcome the support of anyone."

Amaran Polis terhadap penyebar isu perkauman

Timbalan Ketua Polis Negara, Tan Sri Ismail Omar hari ini memberi amaran akan mengambil tindakan tegas terhadap mereka yang cuba menggugat keselamatan dan ketenteraman negara menerusi penyebaran isu berunsur perkauman.
Beliau berkata, tindakan sama turut akan diambil ke atas individu yang cuba mengesploitasi kenyataan berkenaan dalam bentuk blog, khidmata pesanan ringkas(SMS atau khidmat pesanan multimedia(MMS)
Beliau bagi amaran yang keras kepada semua pihak tidak kira siapa mereka itu supaya berhenti membua apa-apa kenyataan berbaur perkauman sama ada dalam media cetak atau media elektronik kerana perbuatan tersebut melanggar undang-undang.
Ismail juga menyarankan orang ramai supaya tidak mengambil sebarang tindakan berdasarklan emosi dan perasaan kerana ia akan menimbulkan suasana kurang selasa di kalangan penduduk pelbagai kaum.
Berhubung kenyataan Ketua UMNO Nahagian Bukit Bendera, Datuk Ahmad Ismail, beliau berkata, polis masih menjalankan siasatanberhubungan kenyataan itu. Beliau jawab pihak polis akan menyiapkan siasatan itu secepat mungkin untuk tindakan selanjutnya.
Beliau meminta orang ramai supaya tidak mudah terpedaya dengan penyebaran kenyataan berbaur perkauman sebaliknya mendapat gambaran yang sebenar-benarnya dengan daripada pihak polis.
Orangramai ramai boleh menghubung Ketua Polis Negara Negeru atau ketua Polig daerah untuk mengetahui keadaan semasa pada bila-bila masa.
Serentak dengan perkembangan semasa juga, beliau telah mengeluarkan arahan kepada Ketua Polis Negeri dan Ketua Polis Daerah supaya meningkatkan pemantauan di tempat-tempat awam.
Beliau menggesa orang ramai supaya menyemai rasa tanggungjawab sebagai rakyat Malaysia dadalam sanubari mereka dan sentiasa mematuhi undangan-undang bagi mengelak sebarang gambaran perkara ti diingini berlaku.
Katanya Malaysia adalah sebuah negara yang berdaulat serta mempunyai undang-undang. Setiap rakyat perlu menghormatinya kerana hanya dengan itu kita dapat menjamin kestabilan
negara.

Police Chief calls for calm after uproar

Police have urged the people to remain calm and not take matters into their own hands following the uproar created by the alleded racist remarks made by UMNO Bukit Bendera chief, datikk Ahamad Ismail.
State Police chief, datuk Ayub Yaakob said yesterday that police were investigating the case and advised the public to allow due process to take its course.
He does not want the situation to be blown out of proportion. they will have to find out which party was at falt. He urged all political parties not to spread any rumours by SMS text messages. He reminded it is an offence to get involved in rumours mongering. Their priority is to maintain harmorn dand public order.
Yesterday , a police report was also lodged against state opposition leader Datuk Azhar Ibrahim, Penaga assemblyman for allegedly calling for the reporter who wrote about Ahmad's remarks to be shot. The report was lodges by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng's chief of staff, Ooi Chuan Aun, at the Jalan Patani police station in George Town.Ooi said they have handed over a recording to police for further investigation.

Barisan Gubal Kod Etika

Barisan Nasional(BN) akan menggubal kod etika bagi memastikan ahli parti gabungan itu tidak menyentuh isu sensitif yang boleh menyinggung perasaan ahli lain. Perdana Menteri berkata, kod etika itu khusus berkaitan hubungan sesama parti komponen bagi mengelak tindakan di luar kawalan, seperti menyentuh isu perkauman.
Beliau berkata,kod etika itu antara lain mengandungi perkara yang berhubung kait dengan Akta Hasutan dan Perlembagaan Persekutuan. Apabila ditanya sama ada hak keistimewaan orang melayu dan perkara berkaitan kontrak sosial akan turut dimasukkan ke dalam kod etika itu bagi melarang perkara itu daripada disentuh, beliau berkata perkara yang tidak perluaaaaaaaaaa aaditimbulkan tidak payah ditimbulkan.
Belioau yang juga Pengerusi BN berkata, kod etika itu akan menjadi satu ketetapan bagi Dewan Tertinggi BN supaya perkara yang menyentuh perasaan ahli parti komponen tidak akan berlaku lagi. Abdullah berkata, tindakan serta-merta akan diambil terhadap ahli BN yang melanggar kod etika itu.
"Kelengahan daripada tindakan terhadap ahli yang membuat kenyataan terbabit akan membawa kesan buruk dan membawa kemarahan rakyat. Abdullah menegaskan BN sebagai parti pelbagai kau yang mendapat sokongan majoriti rakyat , perlu memikul amanah itu sebaik mungkin. Beliau berkata, Dewan Tertinggi BN juga menerima cadangan kr arah perubahan dalam BN dan lebih banyak mesyuarat yang membabitkan penyertaan semua parti komponan akan diadaka. katanya, kita perlu mewujudkan sati badan penyelidikan yang dianggotai semua wakil daripada parti komponen dan bukannya dikhaskan kepada satu parti politik saja.
Beliau berkata, perlu ada komitmen berama antara ahli gabungan parti komponen bagi menunjukkan BN saling memahami dan komitedd dalam segala aktiviti yang dirancang.
Apa yang menggembirakan saya ialah ketegasan semua pemimpin BN yang mahu kita semua mesti bersama dalam menghadapi apa juga ancaman ringan.
Kita mesti bekerjasama untuk mengatasi semua itu dan BN juga mesti sentiasa mendengar suara rakyat dan kehendak mereka kerana ia amat penting"

Penulis blog Singapura didakwa Hina Hakim

Seorang penulis blog, Gopalan Nair yang didakwa menghina seorang hakim, mengaku tidak bersalah di mahkamah, pada 8 September.
Nair dihadapkan ke mahkamah kerana menuduh seorang hakim 'melacurkan diri' apabila bersekongkol dengan Perdana Menteri, Lee Hsien Loong dan bapanya bekas Perdana Menteri, Lee Kuan Yew dalam kes saman fitnah ke atas seorang pemimpin pembangkang.Nair yang mengaku tidak bersalah mewakili dirinya sendiri ketika dipanggil hakim untuk membela diri.
Hakim Belinda Ang juga pernah mengadili kes terhadap Presiden Parti Demokratik, Chee Soon Juan.
Nair, bekas peguam dan mendapat kerakyatan Amerika Syarikat, dituduh secara menulis di dalam blognya bahawa Ang bertindak tidak lebih sebagai pekerja kepada Lee Kuan Yew dengan melaksanakan setiapa arahannya.
Perbicaraan kes ini akan berlangsung selama 10 hari dan Nair juga akan berhadapan dengan beberapa kes lain di mahkamah.

Gerakan Putuskan Hubungan dengan UMNO P.Pinang

Gerakan P.Pinang membuat keputusan memutuskan hubungan dengan UMNO Pulau Pinang berkuatkuasa serta- merta berikutan tindakan Ketua OMNO bahagian Bukit Bendera, datuk Ahmad ismail mengeluarkan kenyataan yang didakwa berbau perkauman.
UMNO Pulau Pinang dipengerusikan oleh Perdana Menteri , datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Pemangku Presiden gerakan, tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon berkata, keputusan itu dipersetujui dalam satu mesyuarat tergempar yang dihadiri oleh semua ahli jawatankuasa perhubungan negeri. beliau berkata, ahli Ggerakan berasa amat terkeju dan marah serta mengutuk tindakan dan tingkah laku Ahmad yang disifatkan tidak bertanggungjawab itu.
Beliau memberitahu pemberita selepas mempengerusikan mesyuarat tergempar jawatankuasa perhubungan Gerakan Pulau Pinang pada malan 8 Sept. Tsu Koon turut menyelar tindakan Ahmad yang menyifatkan masyarakat Cina di Malaysia sebagai sama dengan kaum Yahudi di Amerika Syarikat yang menguasai ekonomi dan selanjutnya ingin menguasai politik, sebagai tidak bertanggungjawab.
Sementara itu, Pengerusi MCA Pulau Pinang, Datuk Liow Tiong Lai turut menegaskan bahawa MCA Pulau Pinang memutuskan hubungan dengan Ahmad dan tidak akan meyertai mana-mana aktiviti anjuran UMNO Bahagian Bukit Bendera sehingga isu tersebut duselesaikan. katanya, MCA juga akan berbuat perkara sama kepada mana-mana UMNO bahagian lain di negeri Pulau Pinang yang turut sekongkol dengan Ahmad Ismail. katanya MCA berasa marah,tersinggung, kesal dan hampa dengan tingkah laku angkuh beliau yang enggan menarik balik kenyataan dan mminta maaf terhadap kata-katanya yang telahmenyakitkan hati adan perasaan orang Cina di negara ini.

Information Technology Officer claims trial to changing land title details

A 54 year-old Information Technology Officer with Natural Resources and Enviroment Ministry was charged at the Sessions Court in Ipoh yesterday with making unauthrised changes in a land registration database.
Mohd.Radzi Mohd ramli, who was the department's technical officer, allegedly made the changes in the database of the Perak Land and Mines Department last year, changing the ownership of four plots of land and releaseing two of them from their mortgages.
He allegedly committed the offences at the computer training room of the Perak land and Mines Department's IT division in Ipoh.
Judge Rasidah Chik set bail at RM12,000 in one surety for all four counts, pending mention on Oct. 9

Make sure budget plans reach the people

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yesterday reminded civil servants to carry out all plans outlined in Budget 2009 with zest and commitment.
The prime minister said plans must be carried out without delay or excuse. We are not short of ideas or good plans but we are short in implementation. We have proven in the Auditor-General's Report 2007 that we can do it.
Recently the Auditor-General said the financial management of majority of government agencies at federal and stste levels was good.
Abdullah expressed confidence that with the civil service's combined resources, all budget plans would be implemented for the sake of the people and country.Abdullah said Budget 2009 was aimed at helping the people and not at boosting the government's popularity. The budget was geared towards the lower-income group and had somthing for everyone at a time when the nation is dealing with high inflation. Reminding civil servants of their duties, ABDULLAH SAID AS CONSUMRS THEMSELVES, THEY SHOULD OFFER THE BEST SERVICE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PEOPLE. Attention must also be paid to the administrative system and work procedures to minimise bureaucracy..

Malaysians are all equal

All malaysians should be treated as equal citizens of the country and not be caregorised as A,B or C-level citizens, MCA secretary-general Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan said yesterday.
"After 51 years of independence,we are all citizens of malaysia and there is no class A,B or C. There should be no classification of citizenship as all races are equal and all people enjoy the benefits,. We have to work together and weed out the mischief caused by racially biased viewpoints that will destrok racial harmony in the country."
He said there should not be any questions raised about racial backgrounds and loyalty to Malaysia as all races including Malays, Chinese and Indians had sacrificed their blood to free the country from Japanese occupation in the 1940s.
About 300,000 Chinese died defending the country during the Japanese Cccupation when the British witrhdrew their troops and left the country defenceless. The British had acknowledged this hact and granted the Chinese community citizenship," he said in Ipoh.
he said this in reference to Umno Bukit Bendera division chief datuk Ahmad Ismail's alleged alleged statement that Chinese ar e only squatters and immigrants and it is impossible for them to achieve equal rights among the races.
The Alliance party 'house' was originally formed by Malays, Chinese and Indians which later la\ed to the formation of the BArisan National.
Datuk Seri Ong callrd on BN leaders to oromate BN leaders to promote the concept and spirit of muhibah among the various races. among the various races.

UMNO members provide evidence to ACA

Two Umno members have submitted to the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) photographic evidence that they say supports their report against party president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for alleged abuse of power.
Formar Selangor youth leader Mazlan Harun dan Muar branch leader Datuk Kadar Shah handed over between 20 and 30 copies of photographs to the ACA office in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
Kadar Shah, the son of the late Umno permanent chairman Tun Sulaiman Ninam Shah, said the pictures showed Abdulah allegedly holding closed-door meetings with Umno members and leaders.
According to the duo, they have other evidence,which they have not given... if this second report is not takened seriously, they will lodge another report or may be take legal action.
Asked what was shown in the pictures,he said:" Of Course he was campaigning... what else?
Kadar Shah claimed that Abdullah had met several statr Umno leaders several times between May 3 and June 29

UMNO says sorry

Umno resterday apologised for the "unwarranted" statement made by its Bukit Bendera Division chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail, who described non-Malays as immigrants, and indicated that the party will act against him.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, who is also UMNO deputy president, said the party had never considered non-malays as immigrants as they enjoyed full rights as citizens.
They apologised although it was not their statement but a statement made by one of their divisional leaders that was totally unwarranted and doesn't reflect the position and attitude of UMNO or its leadership as a whole. They regreted it very much.
His statement follows growing furore by Barisan Nasional component parties MCA and Gerakan, and DAP over the statement made on 25 August ceramah during the Permatang Pauh by-election.
So angry were these parties that a number of police reports were lodged, urging action under the Sedition Act.

Police summon Ahmad Ismail over alleged seditious remarks

Umno Bukit Bendera division head Datuk Ahmad ismail has been summoned by the police to give his statement following a string of reports lodged against him for allegedly uttering seditious remarks in public.
Penang State deputy police chief SAC(1) Datuk Salleh Mat Rashid confirmed yesterday police have traced Ahmas, who had kept a low profile since he was reported by vernacula newspapers to have made an anti-Chinese statement at a ceramah during Permatang Pauh by-election campaign on Aug. 25.
Ahmad had allegedly said the Chinese are pendatang(immigrants) in Malaysia and therefore, could not enjoy equality with others.
DAP.MCA and Gerakan have since lodged police reports against Ahmad, and also asked him to apologise.
Deputy Prime Minister and UMNO Deputy president Datuk Sri Najib Abdul Razak had apologised
on Tuesday for the remark,calling it"unwarranted" and not reflective of UMNO's stand,
Salleh told reporters Ahmad was being investigated under section under section 4(1)(B) of Sedition Act 1948. for uttering seditious words and they hope to wrap up the probe by this week.

Problematic department to be queried after Raya

Several government departments, agencies and federal statutory bodies will be called up by the auditor-general's office after Hari raya to answer "discrepancies" mentioned in the 2007 Auditor-General's Report.
Parliment's Public Accounts Committee(PAC) chairman Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid told reporters yesterday an audit on 123 agencies,departments and bodies found 5% of them to be problematic.They will call the problematic ones to give their sides of the story to ascertain what went wrong and this will be done immediately after Hari Raya. PAC wants to prevent a recurrencce because the pevious trend of discrepancies highlighted in the report has always been the same. Azmi said the PAC strongly recommended to the government to appoint more internal auditors in ministries, departments,agencies and statutory bodies. They want to see more internal auditors, as front-liners, doing their work on a daily basis and they must be empowered to do more things.He added proper checks will prevent losses.
Azmi said that overall, the report was satisfactory as 117 of the 123 audited in 2007 were given a "clean bill of health".
He said those to be called for questioning include the Home; Natural Resources and Enviroment; Health; Education; and Defence Ministries and Kuala Lumpur City hall. Among projects and companies involved in the "discrepancies" highlighted in the report are Teluk Sepanggar naval base project in Sabah, CTRM(Composite Technology Research Malaysia Sdn. Bhd), which is 90% owned by the Ministry of Finance Inc. and the SMART Tunnel project in Sungai Besi.
Azmi also said that while the number of problematic agencies, department and bodies is small, the losses in terms of money could be big

Cuepacs kecewa janji ITP,Cola tak ditepati

Cuepacs yang gembira dengan pemberian bonus dalam bajet 2009 telah kecewa apabila dua permintaan kesatuan itu berhubung kenaikan Imbuhan Tetap Perumahan(ITP) dan penyelarasan elaun kos sara hidup(Cola) kepada kakitangan awam tidak disenaraikan dalam belanjawan kali ini.
Sehubungan itu, Cuepacs yang mewakili hampir 1.2 juta kakitangan sektor awam akan bertemu Perdana Menteri pada bulan depan bagi membincangkan kedua-dua perkara itu.
Presidennya, Omar Osman berkata sebelum ini kerajaan secara dasarnya bersetuju memberi elaun Cola dan turut memaklumkan perkara berkenaan kepada Cuepacs dalam surat maklum balas. Beliau bagaimanapun berkata, Cuepacs tidak berniat mengugut kerajaan dalam perkara itu tetapi percaya sekiranya permintaan berkenaan dilaksanakan ia dapat membantu mereka yang berpendapatan rendah. Pihaknya akan membuat temujanji untuk bertemu Perdana menteri dan menerangkan secara rasional berhubung permintaan Cuepacs itu bagi manfaat anggota sektor awam.
Cuepacs sebelum ini meminta kerajaan menaikkan ITP daripada RM180 sebulan kepada RM230 dan menyelaraskan elaun Cola kepada RM500 sebulan di seluruh negara.

Malaysia Today disekat

Menteri Dakam Negeri datuk Seri Syed hamid Albar berkata, adalah wajar bagi Suruhanjaya Komunikasi dan Multimedia malaysia(SKMM) bertindak dan mengarahkan pembekal perkhidmatan Internet(ISP) di negara ini menyekat laman web Malaysia Today. Kata menteri,sudah terlalu banyak peluang dan amaran diberikan kepada laman web itu yang tidak dipedulikan dan beliau yakin SKMM telah menjalankan kuasanya dengan baik dan mwengikut undang-undang.
Datuk menteri berkata, kerajaan tidak pernah berniat menyekat kebebasan rakyat untuk berdebat dan memberi maklumat. Apabila seseorang menerbitkan kandungan yang dianggap menghina atau memfitnah kuasa SKMM untuk memelihara undang-undang danperaturan dalam negara ini, bagi mereka mengambil tindakan yang dianggap perlu.